1. Policy Summary and Aims
Southgate Physio will take care to avoid exposure from either patients or staff to infections; airborne, blood borne or via direct contact with an infected person.
All staff should be aware of procedures in the unlikely event of contact with contaminated sources of infection.
This policy aims to outline the standards of best practise to avoid spread of infection, and provide guidance should any person come to harm.
All staff have a responsibility to ensure that they comply with the principles of standard infection control precautions
All staff have a responsibility to encourage patients, visitors and other staff to comply with the principles of standard infection control precautions
Be aware of local and national policies, procedures and campaigns regarding standard infection control precautions.
2. Risk Assessment
Risk assessment must be carried out to establish the possible exposure to blood and body fluids, including substances likely to cause harm. Prevention and control of infection is the responsibility of all staff. Employment status does not obviate the need to comply with basic infection control requirements, all of which are based on simple rules of hygiene.
The key points of the standard precautions are:-
- Use effective hand hygiene
- Treat all blood and body fluids as infected
- Use and dispose of sharps safely
- Manage equipment used in the delivery of care appropriately in order to limit the risk of contamination with microorganisms.
- Adhere to local Environmental Hygiene Policy, including prompt management of blood and body fluid spillages
- Dispose of clinical waste correctly and safely
- Manage linen used during the delivery of care appropriately to limit the risk of contamination with microorganisms
COVID-19 Precautions Include:
- Limited staff members present in the practice at one time, and only 1 client in the clinic at 1 time.
- * Staff will be wearing masks (Clients would be encouraged to wear them too).
- Therapist will be wearing full PPE. Sneeze screens installed at the reception to protect staff and clients.
- All clients will be encouraged to wash their hands before and after their visit or use the hand sanitisers.All appointments will be separated by 15 minutes to provide enough time for change over and cleaning of the treatment room.
- Clients to arrive no sooner than 5 minutes before their allocated time
- Clients are encouraged to bring their own towels and change of clothing if necessary. No towels or shorts will be provided by the clinic.
- All treatment couch covers, and pillow covers have been replaced with wipeable pillows.
- Screening of clients and staff to see if they have any signs of Coronavirus.No symptomatic clients (even if mild) and you must have been symptom free for 14 days or more (including family members) may attend an appointment.Attendance only by yourself (no family/friends). Chaperone policy still in place.
3. Infection Control Protocols
Hand Hygiene
Hands are the most common way in which micro-organisms, particularly bacteria, might be transported and subsequently cause infections, especially in those who are most susceptible to infection. Good hand hygiene is the most important practice in reducing transmission of infectious agents.
- All Patients are to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after entering the Southgate physio premises or to use hand sanitiser provided. Patients encouraged to repeat the same procedure before leaving the premises.
| LEVEL 1 Social Hand Hygiene |
LEVEL 2 Hygienic (aseptic) and Hygiene |
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| Why perform hand hygiene? | To render the hands physically clean and to remove microorganisms picked up during activities considered ‘social’ activities (transient Micro-organisms) | To remove or destroy transient Micro-organisms. Also, to provide residual effect during times when hygiene is particularly important in protecting yourself and others (reduces those resident micro-organisms which normally live on the skin) |
It has been shown that contamination of jewellery, particularly rings with stones and/or jewellery of intricate detail, can occur. Jewellery must be removed when working in clinical care settings to prevent the spread of micro-organisms by contact with contaminated jewellery.
Most staff providing care must remove jewellery at the start of the working day. It is acceptable to wear plain wedding bands however these must be moved or removed when hand hygiene is being performed in order to reach the bacteria which can collect underneath them.
Respiratory Hygiene
Respiratory hygiene has been added due the recent global Covid-19 pandemic. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette should be applied as a standard infection control precaution at all times
The measures include:
- Cover nose and mouth with disposable single use tissues when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing noses
- Dispose of used tissues into a waste bin
- Wash hands with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, using tissues, or after contact with respiratory secretions or objects contaminated by these secretions
- Keep contaminated hands away from the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose
Other Hygiene Protocols
Do not reuse patient care equipment until it has been cleaned appropriately. Discard single use items properly.
Cuts, abrasions, open lesions or abnormal skin should be covered with a waterproof dressing.
Staff have a responsibility to not provide direct patient care while infectious as this could cause harm.
It is the responsibility of the individual patient to cancel any appointment if they suspect contraction of an infectious disease as this could cause harm.
